EXPLORE SCOTLAND

This workshop offers you the opportunity to learn, discover and explore the moody mountain peaks, roaring waterfalls, dramatic coastlines and unique volcanic rock formations of Scotland with passionate and like-minded enthusiasts, using the best photographic equipment on the market.

The Isle of Skye is probably one of the most iconic locations for great landscape photography. Moody mountain peaks, roaring waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, unique volcanic rock formations, natural woodland, beaches, lighthouses, and ancient castles. It’s a place of extremes – from the craggy outline of the Cuillin that dominate the landscape to the sheer cliffs and imposing headlands that descend down to peaceful bays and beaches. Its changing weather patterns create wonderfully atmospheric lighting conditions for photography and, given the right weather conditions, Skye can be an ideal location for glorious sunrises and sunsets.

BETTER MOMENTS & PHASE ONE EXPLORER is your gateway to working with top of the line equipment from Phase One, while simultaneously exploring one of the most scenic destinations on the planet.

We provide participants with exclusive access to the power and versatility of the Phase One Premiere XT Camera System and Capture One software, as well as continuous support and training from both Phase One experts and award-winning Better Moments photographers.

PREMIERE XT CAMERA SYSTEM
All our guests will receive exclusive Phase One equipment, software and training for use during this workshop, including:
Premiere XT Camera System sent directly to your private address for training before the workshop.
One-to-one Master Class with a Phase One expert prior to departure and after ended workshop.
CaptureOne Software training and support before and during workshop.
Follow-up training and support from Phase One after completion of workshop.

    Highlights

    • Teaching and training in the best techniques and personal hints and advises
    • Work in different lighting and with short/long exposure times and aperture.
    • How to handle equipment with care on location.

Expert TOM D. JONES

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More about Tom D. Jones

Tom D. Jones is famous for his fine art photography, from which he has received numerous awards, for example the European Fine Art Photographer Of The Year 2009. He’s part of the prestigious association Master Qualified European Photographer and in 2012 he distinguished himself with the well deserved Hasselblad Master Award 2012 in Landscape/Nature.

EXPAND WITH PASSION

On Location

  • You will learn how to approach the unique challenges of landscape photography. Tom D. Jones will use his experience from his many years of professional work to help you maximize your photographic opportunities with landscape photography.
  • Teaching and training in the best techniques and personal hints and advice.
  • Composition and focus on lines, golden section, perspective, foreground, middleground and background.
  • Work in different lighting and with short/long exposure times and apertures.
  • How to handle equipment with care on location.
  • Private hands-on lessons that can help take your photography skills to the next level.

In Classroom

  • Expert review and constructive criticism of the images taken during the day.
  • Portfolio review.
  • Workflow in Lightroom.
  • A Better Moments Certified Photo Instructor will be available during the entire workshop to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, guide and help in general.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

Arrival and meet-up in Edinburgh. The city is divided in two parts, the old and the new. The new part has diverse and exciting shopping possibilities, and the old part is a wonderful and historic area with many museums.

Day-1

DAY 2: GLEN COE AND GLENFINNAN VIADUCT

We drive from Edinburgh to Skye. On our way, we’ll see the amazing Glen Coe Pass, stopping at the famous Three Sisters before continuing to Mallaig, where we take the ferry to Skye. We will also stop to shoot Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous “Harry Potter Bridge”. In the evening, we arrive at the Cuillin Hills Hotel and its wonderful restaurant with panoramic views over the harbor and Cuilin Hills.
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DAY 3: THE QUIRAING AND SUNSET SESSIONS

The morning begins with a hike to The Old Man of Storr. After lunch, we continue to The Quiraing, with wonderful panoramic views over Trotternish. The Quiraing is a fascinating rugged landscape on the Trotternish Peninsula with views east across to the mainland and the iconic Old Man of Storr. We will work a full day in the hills until the last light of day and make sure to be at the best locations at sunset. Thus, you get a soft light to work with, as well as massive cloud formations over the hills. After dinner, we will work on photos from the day, and Tom will guide and advise in Light room and Photoshop. Day3

DAY 4: COASTLINE PHOTOGRAPHY

We’ll be doing coastline photography and take a boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin Hills, where we’ll be dropped off to work around the lake. During the boat trip, we will spot a seal colony on the small isles in front of the Cuillin Hills.
Dayss-4

DAY 5: THE FAIRY POOLS AND NEIST POINT
The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle is a location dominated by the Cuillin Hills. The water running off the hills flows down into the glen via a series of picturesque rocky waterfalls. After lunch, we continue to Neist point. The beautiful lighthouse, located at the most western point of the Duirinish Peninsula, is astonishing, with the dramatic and extremely photogenic cliffs surrounding the lighthouse. The location also offers the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks – if we are lucky.
After dinner, objective criticism by Tom on today’s pictures, and advice about how to optimize your photographic skill
DAY 6: DELVING INTO THE LANDSCAPE

Due to the unpredictability of Scottish weather, we have put in an extra day here which will allow you to explore more of your favorite locations on Skye – either to do reshoots or discover new possibilities.

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DAY 7: A PERFECT CLOSURE

On our way back to Edinburgh we’ll shoot over the Sligachan stone bridge crossing the river which carries the water down from the Cuillin. The bridge is a magnificent sight, surrounded by the hills. Afterwards we stop by Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed Scottish Castles. A real “Braveheart” feeling and a perfect closure for this Scottish Highland adventure. In the evening we arrive in Edinburgh for a farewell dinner – with real malt whisky!
Day-7

DAY 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, we depart for our home destinations.

Get Inspiration

Enjoy Your 24-Page Catalog with stunning photos from Scotland

Including Workshop intinerary, expert interview, quick tips and equipment list

PASSIONATE TESTIMONIAL

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“I have very fond memories of my workshop in Scotland with Better Moments and Tom D Jones. Of course, the Isle of Skye is a fabulous playground for photographers and landscapes lovers: old stones and rocks with unreal shapes are everywhere; so is water: rivers, waterfalls, sea waves, raindrops falling on you head (!). And then there’s this crazy light in the sky of the Hebrides…

The workshop was a good balance between indoor technical sessions and outdoor shooting sessions. It’s important to know, as the weather can be quite unpredictable there. The organisation of the trip was top-notch and our “accomodation” in the heights of Portree was probably one of the nicest hotels in this area.

Besides all this, there is Tom. He’s not only capable of talking about the right settings to use with your camera. No, the most important thing is his ability – always with kindness – to push you outside your comfort zone: the best composition is the thing to look for, before anything else. First of all, he tells you to move, move, and move again in order to find a better perspective, a better foreground, a better reflection. He doesn’t care to put his feet in the water because photographers should “suffer” a little, make some efforts and do their best if they really want to produce something different, more personnal, and more personally rewarding.

Tom knows that. And if you follow his advice, who knows? – you could meet Tom in the same place you finally decided to go by yourself, and that will be rewarding too.”

Laurent Guigue, France

TRAVEL FACTS

Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your workshop.

Facts

  • TBA or on request – contact BM
  • 8 Days
  • Number of guests: 7-12
Included
  • Local transport
  • Accommodation
  • All Meals
Not included
  • Travel to and from the workshop destination
  • Visa and taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

 

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Ask Us

Do you have any questions about the workshop or would you like to go on a private customized tour? Send us an email.

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Price

€ 5,650 in shared double room.

  • INVITE A FRIEND
    Got a friend or special someone you’d love to bring?
    With our INVITE A FRIEND-initiative, you’ll be able to bring someone with you to our locations without having to enroll them in our workshops and save up to 25% of the total rate, depending on availability!

€ 5,950 in single room.

Groups sign-up a group of 4+ participants and receive a group discount.

All prices are per person.

Better Moments is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund, your guarantee that traveling with Better Moments is a safe experience.

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Better Moments is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund, your guarantee that traveling with Better Moments is a safe experience.

Overview

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QUICK GUIDE GETTING THERE
IMPORTANT: The program will be flexible to make the best use of the locations, the light and the prevailing weather conditions.
Better Moments will arrange one pickup transfer and one return transfer to the airport on the arrival- and the departure day.
GETTING THERE
There are several flights, many on a daily basis to and from international airports, possibly with a change in Manchester or Dublin.

VISA
You must have a valid passport from before the start of your journey to Scotland. Visitors outside UK and EU may need a visa, otherwise you can stay as long as required. Please check with the local embassy and read more at http://www.visitscotland.com/travel/information/passports-visas-customs

WEATHER
The weather can change very quickly on Skye – so bring good clothes! Luckily, forecasting has improved much and generally forecasts for the next 12-24 hours will be very accurate.
July is the hottest month on the Isle of Skye with an average temperature of 13°C (55°F) and the coldest is January at 4°C (39°F). The wettest month is October with an average of 152 mm of rain.
LANGUAGE
The main language spoken in Scotland is English, while Scots and Scottish Gaelic are minority languages. The dialect of English spoken in Scotland is referred to as Scottish English.
CURRENCY
The monetary currency used is British Pound (GBP).
QUICK GUIDE
The Isle of Skye (an t-Eilean Sgiathanach in Gaelic) takes its name from the old Norse sky-a, meaning ‘cloud island’, a Viking reference to the often-mist-enshrouded Cuillin Hills.
A bridge connects to the mainland since 1996.
Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides.
Skye covers an area of 1,656 km2 (639 sq mi).
The highest elevation is Sgùrr Alasdair 993 metres (3,258 ft).
There’s only a small population of 10,008 people.
Portree is Skye’s largest and liveliest town. Its name (Gaelic for King’s Harbour) commemorates James V, who came here in 1540 to pacify the local clans.
Skye also has many cozy pubs and restaurants; there are also dozens of art galleries and craft studios.
Emergency phone number: 999 and 112. Non-urgent calls to 101.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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